Tetons

The General Avalanche Hazard is CONSIDERABLE at Upper elevations where more than six inches of new snow with a half inch of moisture has fallen. Natural or easily triggered soft slabs to two feet in depth on lee slopes rest on light density snow and slippery faceted crystals. Natural slides have been reported and are expected this morning on south facing aspects underlain by slick sun crusts. Debris will be light density but move fast, entrain surrounding snow and rapidly build to dangerous volumes. At Mid elevations the General Hazard is MODERATE where similar activity is likely but on a smaller scale. At Low elevations the Hazard is LOW but beware of steep areas like road cuts or terrain traps where small slides can injure or bury travelers.

Skies will be partly cloudy with isolated snow showers Thursday as a short lived ridge builds over the area. Ridgecrest winds will be southerly at 15 to 20 miles per hour. Mountain temperatures will rise into the mid twenties. AVALANCHE HAZARD FORECAST FOR THE TETON, TOGWOTEE PASS, AND SOUTHWEST TRAILS AREAS:The General Avalanche Hazard in the Tetons will remain CONSIDERABLE at Upper elevations. Concerns for sensitive, dry slides will continue in steep, shaded northerly aspects and south aspects will have an increasing probability of wet loose slides as any strong mid-March sunshine will RAPIDLY heat the new powder. At Mid and Low elevations the hazard will increase during the day to MODERATE on south facing slopes.The General Avalanche Hazard will remain LOW in the Togwotee Pass and Greys River Regions where little new snow has fallen.Backcountry users are advised to consult area specific forecasts issued every morning as new information may become available and unexpected weather can change conditions.